TRANSPORT · GUIDE

Using the Seoul subway and buses

Tap one transit card for both subway and bus, plan by station exit number rather than street address, and check the last train before you commit to a late night out.

Any Seoul stationAnywhere else in Seoul

WHAT DECIDES THIS

The numbers that change your choice.

One card, both modes: A single transit card covers subway and busTap on entry and on exit. Fares and transfer discounts are in the official transport guide.
Exits are numbered: Plan to an exit number, not a street nameLarge stations have many exits, and the wrong one can mean a long walk back.
Card options: T-money or Seoul's short-term Climate CardWhich is cheaper depends on how much you ride. Compare before buying both.
Last train: Varies by line, direction and dayCheck the official station timetable on the night, not in advance.

LAST CHECKEDJuly 29, 2026

1 day ago. Fares, routes and final train times change—confirm live before you travel.

STEP BY STEP

Do it in this order.

Each step names the sign to look for where one exists, and what travellers most often get wrong.

01편의점 · Convenience store · Ticket machine
Get one transit card and top it up
The same card works on subway and bus, which is what makes transfers painless. Compare T-money against Seoul's short-term Climate Card based on how much you expect to travel.
Watch out Traditional purchase and top-up may require cash. Carry some Korean won for this specifically.
02—
Install a map that works in Korea
The Seoul Metropolitan Government recommends Naver Map or Kakao Map for routes and live bus information. Google Maps transit directions in Korea are less reliable.
Watch out Search using the Korean name where you have it. English names often fail.
03Card reader at the gate and beside the bus door
Tap in, and tap out
Touch your card on the gate when you enter and again when you leave. Buses work the same way: tap boarding and tap when you get off.
Watch out Forgetting to tap out can cost you a penalty fare and can break the transfer discount on your next leg.
04Exit 1, 2, 3 … 출구
Navigate to an exit number
Every station exit is numbered, and Korean directions are usually given as a station plus an exit. Note the exit before you arrive and follow it underground.
Watch out At a large interchange the correct exit can be a several-minute walk from the platform. Allow for it.
05—
Transfer without leaving the system
Subway-to-subway transfers happen inside the gates. Subway-to-bus transfers use the same card and usually attract a discount within a time window.
Watch out Leaving the gates and re-entering can be charged as a new trip.
06—
Check the last train before your evening ends
Final departures differ by line, by direction, and between weekdays and weekends. Look it up on the official station timetable that night.
Watch out Missing the last train on a Friday in a busy district can mean a long wait and a much higher fare.

ALTERNATIVES

Compare before you commit.

There is no single best option. The right one depends on your luggage, your arrival time and where you are staying.

Subway

Cost: See the official transport guide
Time: Predictable — unaffected by traffic

Most trips across Seoul, and anything on a schedule such as a concert or a train connection.

Not every destination is close to a station, and large interchanges involve walking.

City bus

Cost: See the official transport guide
Time: Traffic dependent

Short hops the subway does not cover well, and destinations partway between stations.

Stop announcements may be harder to follow. Use live bus tracking in your map app.

Taxi

Cost: Metered, higher at night
Time: Traffic dependent

After the last train, with heavy luggage, or when travelling as a group.

Show the Korean address rather than an English name. Late-night surcharges apply.

Walking

Cost: Free
Time: Often faster than you expect

Two adjacent stations, especially in Jongno, Hongdae or Seongsu where the streets are the attraction.

Summer heat and monsoon rain change this calculation completely.

COMMON MISTAKES

What goes wrong most often.

Buying both T-money and a Climate Card on arrival.

Pick one after you know your routes. Which one saves money depends entirely on how much you ride.

Navigating to a street address instead of a station exit.

Get the station and exit number. That is how directions are given locally, and it is how the signage works.

Forgetting to tap out.

Tap on the way in and on the way out, on buses as well as the subway. It affects your fare and your transfer discount.

Trusting Google Maps for Seoul transit.

Use Naver Map or Kakao Map, as the Seoul city government recommends.

Assuming the last train is around midnight everywhere.

It varies by line and direction. Check the official timetable on the night itself.

TRAVELER FAQ

Answers before you leave.

Can I use one card for two people?

Transit cards are normally tapped once per passenger. Get a card each rather than assuming one will cover a group.

Do I need cash for a transit card?

Possibly. Traditional purchase and top-up may require cash, and machines differ. Carry some Korean won so this is never the thing that stops you.

What if I tap in at the wrong station?

Speak to station staff at the gate. Do not try to resolve a fare problem by tapping repeatedly.

Is the subway accessible with large luggage?

It varies by station. Interchanges often involve stairs and long corridors. With several large bags, weigh a taxi against the fare difference.

How do I find the right bus stop?

Use live bus information in Naver Map or Kakao Map. Stop names are posted in Korean and English, and the app will show which stop and which direction.

RELATED PLACES

Where this guide takes you.

Mangwon Market

Street food, market snacks and a picnic stop near Mangwon Hangang Park.

Seoul International Garden Show

An open-now outdoor event listed on Seoul's official visitor calendar.

SOURCES

Check it yourself.

Every changing rule stays attached to the organization responsible for it.

Last checked July 29, 2026. Korea Now edits these guides from official sources and does not decide eligibility, fares or schedules on your behalf.